Shloka 88
अर्जुनस्य अन्त्येष्टि, द्वारकाप्लावनम्, कलिप्रवेशः, कालोपदेशः
विज्ञाय न बुधाः शोकं न हर्षम् उपयान्ति ये तेषाम् एवेतरे चेष्टां शिक्षन्तः सन्ति तादृशाः
vijñāya na budhāḥ śokaṃ na harṣam upayānti ye teṣām evetare ceṣṭāṃ śikṣantaḥ santi tādṛśāḥ
Knowing the truth of things, the wise do not fall into sorrow, nor do they rush into elation; and others of like nature, learning from them, come to adopt that very manner of conduct.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)
Concept: Those who discern reality remain even-minded, untouched by grief or exhilaration, and their steadiness becomes a model for others.
Vedantic Theme: Atman
Application: Cultivate reflective discernment (viveka) and learn from exemplars of calm conduct; practice measured responses to success and loss.
Vishishtadvaita: Equanimity arises from knowing the self’s dependence on the Lord and the contingency of material states, supporting steady bhakti and surrender.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse presents equanimity as a hallmark of true understanding: the wise remain steady amid pleasure and pain, reflecting a dharmic mind aligned with the higher reality that governs change.
He indicates that the wise do not merely teach by words; their stable conduct becomes a living standard that others learn from and naturally imitate.
Though Vishnu is not named in the verse, the teaching supports Vaishnava theology: steadiness arises from insight into the Supreme order (ultimately grounded in Vishnu), making worldly highs and lows secondary.